Automatic boiler-feed regulator



1929. M. J. JONES 1,730,275

AUTOMATIC BOILER FEED REGULATOR Filed Sept. 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY 2 M. J. Jones 1,730,275

AUTOMATIC BOILER FEED REGULATOR Filed Sept. 8. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fife/hm! James INVENTOR BY wh m ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 1, 1929 UNITED STATE MICHEAL J. JONES, OF LITTLE ROCK, .ARKANSAS AUTOMATIC BOILER-FEED REGULATOR Application filed September This invention relates to feed regulators adapted for use upon boilers and the like to automatically supply water to the boiler when the same drops below a predetermined level.

An object of the invention comprehends a float member adapted to be raised and lowered with the changing level of the water within the boiler.

Another object of the invention contemplates a valve structure operable in conjunction with the float.

An additional object of the invention embodies a plunger member operable by the pressure released by the valve structure.

A cardinal advantage of the invention resides in the provision of a valve structure operable by the plunger member to supply the boiler with additional water and to supply steam to a pump.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further consists in the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illus trated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates a water column, tube or cylinder having elbow fittings 11 carried upon closure caps 12 at the ends thereof to facilitate connection with boilers and the like, not shown. In other words, the water column 10 is adapted to serve the same purpose as a sight gauge.

A float 13 within the column 10 is adapted to rise and fall with the level of the water therein. A rod member 14, upstanding from the upper side of the float 13, is bifurcated, as indicated at 15, upon the uppermost free end thereof for pivotal connection with the longer end of an L-shaped crank arm 16 journaled, as at 17, between ears 18 inwardly projected within the column from a valve structure 19. A shorter arm 20 for the L- shaped crank arm 16 terminates to provide a 8, 1928. Serial No. 304,645."

yoke extremity 21 receiving'between'the legs therefor a pin member 22 horizontally ,dis-

posed withinthe innermost projecting end of a needle valve 23. A passage 24, establishing connection between the interior of the column and thevalve structure 19-is adapted for communication at its'opposite .end with right angularly. disposed. bypasses 25' and 26 respectively.

An extensionf27, upstanding from the-outermostend of the valve structure '19, is providedwith a bore 28 in communication with, a valve seat 29 for thepointed end ofuthe needle valve 23. A passage 30, formed as a continuation ofthe bore {28 and 'below'the valve seat 29, is adapted to permit the escape of steam or other fluid upwardly there through when the needle valve is opened by downward movement of the float 1,3.

A steam cylinder 31, carried by and having communication with'the uppermostend of the extension 27 is provided with a plunger member 32'having a plunger shaft 33 upstanding therefrom and projected through a stuffing box. or packing gland 34 upon the uppermost end ofthe steam cylinder "31.

A three-way ..valve35 is adapted for con nection with a pipeline 36 jointed to a diaphragm valve 37 for a pump, not. shown.- A waste pipe 38 is adapted for connection with another of the nipples for the Valve,"whereas an additional pipe line 39,ser,ving as a conduit for. the steam,,is connected with there- 'mainin g nipple.

A drain orwaste'pipe 40, having connection with the steam cylinder 31, is adapted to relieve condensation therein.

An operating lever 41, having connect-ion at one end with the valve member, is adapted for pivotal connection with spaced links 42 carried upon the uppermost end of the plunger shaft 33.

A retractile spring 43, carried upon the remaining extremity of the operating lever 41, is stretched from a pin member 44 projected from the lowermost end and outer side wall of the steam cylinder 31 whereby the operating lever will be normally retained in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

When water in the boiler or water column 10 falls below a predetermined level, the float 13 will also lower and open the needle valve 23. Steam within the boiler or water column will then pass through the ports 24, 25, 26, 28 and 30, including the valve seat 29. The pressure of the steam will elevate the plunger 32 and actuate the three-way valve through the medium of the operating lever 41. The pressure of the steam through the pipe line 36 against the diaphragm valve is released by the three-way valve through the waste pipe 38 thus relieving the pressure on the top of the diaphragm valve to start the pump in motion to fill the boiler.

When the boiler has been supplied with the required amount of water the needle valve will close, pressure in cylinder will be released and the action of the spring will again actuate the three-way valve, letting steam or air to pump valve, causing pump to stop.

The invention is susceptible of various changesin its form, proportions and minor details of construction, and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fail within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is -An automatic boiler :Eeed regulator com- 7 prising a water column chamber including a float, a needle valve and seat therefor carried upon the chamber and having communication with the interior thereof, an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted within the chamber and operatively connected at its ends with the adjacent ends of the needle valve and float, a plunger cylinder carried by the valve seat and adapted to receive pressure released by said valve, a shaft carried by the plunger, a three-way valve adapted to control pressure for the boiler pump, an operating lever included upon said valve, means for establishing pivotal connection between the operating lever and plunger shaft, and means carried by the operating lever adapted to normally retract same to occupy a predetermined position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MICHEAL ,JQ JONES. 

